Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Riordan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began working in the business industry as a former KPMG tax Director. After being in the industry for over 15 years, I wanted to take my business experience and apply it to my passion for hair and beauty. I went on to fulfill my life-long dream of opening my own hair salon in the Chicago Gold Coast- and I am proud to say, I made it happen! To gain experience in the beauty industry I worked at a hair salon in the city. It was an excellent experience to learn every aspect of the business from the ground up. It was there that I decided what I wanted my salon to be and what I wanted it not to be. One of my favorite things about working at a hair salon was witnessing the confidence that clients walked out of the salon with after a service. Their faces and smiles are always brighter and bigger when they leave than when they came in. It was a top priority of mine to make my clients always walk out the door with that same happiness and confidence. I also wanted to implement a sense of friendliness, professionalism, and charm when customers come to my salon. Therefore, I hand-selected an entire team of senior stylists from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Chicago to create and bring that sense of expertise to Bentley Hair & Beauty. Our clients and their hair are our top priority; we strive to deliver the best results to accentuate their features to create a look that is unique to them.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road was not always smooth. In order to get any business up and running there are so many facets to consider; finance, location of the salon, licensing and kit-out, legal issues to name but a few. However, with perseverance all these issues are surmountable. My advice to other women who have a dream to start their own business is to never lose that desire regardless of what obstacles are facing you. Try to find a mentor or somebody who is successful in business and take their advice, prepare your business plan, be prudent and don’t let anything stop you from achieving your goal.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Bentley Hair and Beauty – what should we know?
Bentley Hair & Beauty is a luxury hair salon on Oak Street in the Gold Coast. We specialize in hair styling, hair coloring, hair care, haircuts and hair extensions. What truly sets Bentley & Beauty apart from other salons in Chicago is that we are made up of exclusively senior stylists, which gives every client top-notch service. Lead stylists, Danielle Reilly and Stephen Donovan, have both been in the hair industry for over a decade trained by Europe’s elite. Prior to their American debut, the two worked for Peter Mark, one of the largest privately-owned hair companies in Europe. As an organization, we not only bring quality services to our customers but also use the best brands in the industry. The color bar uses the leading brand in the hair coloring industry, L’Oréal Professional as well as INOA, a fragrance, and ammonia-free coloring product that delivers intense hydration and unlimited color results. We are one of five salons in Chicago to carry the top-notch brand praised by Allure, Vogue and Elle called Shu Uemura. Not all salons can say they deliver high-quality results and great customer experience through Irish friendliness and openness to make you feel instantly welcome.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources that help you do your best in life (at work or otherwise)?
I am an avid reader; however, I still love the feel of a paperback and I don’t use the electronic version for books. I really enjoy reading about the beauty industry and I believe it is imperative to stay on top of trends, etc.
Facebook and Instagram are my go to in terms of social media. As an Irish immigrant, I love to stay in touch with friends and family back home. These social media outlets also keep me informed of trends in the business and give me a great insight into how much exposure Bentley H&B is getting from FB users.
Pricing:
- The salon services include women’s and men’s haircuts, color, highlights, balayage, blowouts, and extensions. Respectively, women’s haircuts start at $100 and men’s at $45. All-over color begins at $80 and highlights start at $110. Balayage is offered at $160, while extensions begin at $500.
Contact Info:
- Address: 43 East Oak Street
Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: https://bentleyhb.com
- Phone: 312.624.9315
- Email: info@bentleyhb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bentleyhairbeauty/?utm_source=ig_embed&hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bentleyhairandbeauty/
Image Credit:
Bentley Hair and Beauty
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